The new horror-thriller series, Swarm, created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, takes a deep dive into the world of fandom and obsession. The show, set to debut at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas on March 10th, stars Dominique Fishback as Dre, a young woman who is infatuated with pop star Ni’Jah (whose style is reminiscent of Beyoncé’s).
Chloé Bailey plays Marissa, Dre’s closest friend, who shares her obsession with Ni’Jah. When a tragic event befalls Marissa, Dre’s infatuation with the pop star spirals out of control, blurring the line between fandom and obsession. Things take a dark and deadly turn, and Dre sets off on a cross-country journey to see Ni’Jah in person, leaving behind a trail of bodies in her wake.
Although Swarm is not based on true events, it draws inspiration from some real-life phenomena and influences. The show is a satirical take on “stan culture,” a term used to describe the enthusiastic and often obsessive fandom surrounding a celebrity or group. The creators were particularly influenced by the fanbase of Beyoncé, known as the Beyhive. The term “stan” was popularized by Eminem’s 2000 song of the same name and is a combination of “stalker” and “fan.” The show’s creators also drew inspiration from classic films like The Piano Teacher and The King of Comedy, as well as TV shows like Mad Men and The Sopranos. They wanted to create an antihero through the lens of a Black woman, exploring the darker side of fandom and celebrity culture.
Swarm promises to be a chilling and thought-provoking series that will take viewers on a journey through the twisted world of obsession and the dangerous consequences that can arise when fandom goes too far. The series will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video beginning on March 17th, following its opening night premiere at the SXSW Festival. Malia Obama is listed as one of the staff writers.
